Electronic Arts has released a list of key titles in their investor's report for fiscal year 2011, and amidst the spectacularly unsurprising news that they are going to continue cranking out Sims titles are a few bits and pieces of interest to those of us in the MMO world.
It looks like urban crime title All Points Bulletin is planned for fiscal Q2 2011, which sounds like a long time, but the word "fiscal" is important here. "Q2 2011 fiscal" equals approximately "Q3 2010" (between July 1, 2010 and September 30, 2010) for the rest of us, so it's not as bad as it sounds. Still, this is a change from previous rumors that the game could launch in March of 2010.
There are a few other titles of interest in the list as well. No, we are not referring to the Littlest Pet Shop game or Tiger Woods PGA Tour, although those have some serious MMO potential. But look at some of the others, such as "Need For Speed Title TBA", and "Action Title TBA". Electronic Arts isn't exactly a stranger to the MMO world, and it's quite possible they're venturing farther in with more MMO titles. It's something that we at Massively will definitely keep an eye on.
Reader Comments (16)
Posted: Feb 10th 2010 11:12AM (Unverified) said
I found this part of the report interesting:
"EA's online games subscribers totaled 1.9 million in the quarter - this includes Pogo, as well as massively multiplayer online (MMO) subscribers."
If the previous statement is 'true' ("EA's Pogo(TM) is the #1 online game site worldwide measured by user engagement.") then I wonder how many subs that leaves to be counted for WAR.
I wonder if EA has ever heard of Kongregate or Newgrounds..
"EA's online games subscribers totaled 1.9 million in the quarter - this includes Pogo, as well as massively multiplayer online (MMO) subscribers."
If the previous statement is 'true' ("EA's Pogo(TM) is the #1 online game site worldwide measured by user engagement.") then I wonder how many subs that leaves to be counted for WAR.
I wonder if EA has ever heard of Kongregate or Newgrounds..
Posted: Feb 10th 2010 11:19AM ultimateq said
July/August/September? SWEEEET
Posted: Feb 10th 2010 12:58PM (Unverified) said
Question:
Is this "Q3 release date" being inferred based on Weblog's fiscal year or is this in fact based off EA's actual fiscal year?
Companies have different fiscal calendars and therefore not all have the same start dates.
So, "Q3 release date" is relative without knowing the EA's fiscal calendar.
Is this "Q3 release date" being inferred based on Weblog's fiscal year or is this in fact based off EA's actual fiscal year?
Companies have different fiscal calendars and therefore not all have the same start dates.
So, "Q3 release date" is relative without knowing the EA's fiscal calendar.
Posted: Feb 10th 2010 1:20PM (Unverified) said
Most companies have a financial year of April to April.
Reply
Posted: Feb 10th 2010 1:27PM (Unverified) said
I do not think it would be accurate to say "most". "Many", sure.
Reply
Posted: Feb 11th 2010 4:51AM (Unverified) said
EA runs April to March. It is on their investor details.
Most is the more accurate term. Only in a few countries is it the standard not to.
Reply
Most is the more accurate term. Only in a few countries is it the standard not to.
Posted: Feb 10th 2010 1:24PM (Unverified) said
EA stocks continue to slide (from over $50 to hovering around $16 a share).
The only hope for the company is the fact that they own Bioware which is the one production study out there that really focuses on quality. They need to work on more creative ways to build revenue. Dragon Age was a perfect chance. They should of took the extra time to allow for a toolset and player run servers (like NWN) - and charge monthly fees for the online content (servers).
On a side note, the Federal government really needs to step in and mandate that publicly traded companys need to publish the number of paying subscribers an MMO has. The smoke and mirrors has become tiresome.
The only hope for the company is the fact that they own Bioware which is the one production study out there that really focuses on quality. They need to work on more creative ways to build revenue. Dragon Age was a perfect chance. They should of took the extra time to allow for a toolset and player run servers (like NWN) - and charge monthly fees for the online content (servers).
On a side note, the Federal government really needs to step in and mandate that publicly traded companys need to publish the number of paying subscribers an MMO has. The smoke and mirrors has become tiresome.
Posted: Feb 10th 2010 4:17PM remover said
I was duped again!
Everything including their website said it was coming out next month.
/sad
Everything including their website said it was coming out next month.
/sad
Posted: Feb 10th 2010 4:33PM (Unverified) said
RTW has never said when APB would actually hit the shelves...only that they planned an Open beta in March with a possible June/July shelf date... :).
Retailers have listed it for March but this is entire guess work, probably based on the open beta but has no real basis in fact.
Retailers have listed it for March but this is entire guess work, probably based on the open beta but has no real basis in fact.
Posted: Feb 10th 2010 10:55PM alucard3000 said
you must not pay attemtion to their podcasts they said early spring 2010 and on the APB websites faq sheet there is a question as to when it launches and the answer states that it will(not possibly or shooting for) launch in north america and europe in spring 2010
Reply
Posted: Feb 10th 2010 6:16PM (Unverified) said
Well, I'll stop looking forward to APB coming out any time soon then. Looks like they'll launch to compete with WoW Cataclysm. Brilliant! (yes, I know they are very different games, but I want to purchase and play both)
Posted: Feb 11th 2010 10:05AM (Unverified) said
Second Life gets away with it. Star Wars Galaxies also does it now too (player made quest) You just have to be creative. My feeling is that people will pay more to create than to play.
Bottom line - company needs to make money...and that's not easy to do with video games right now. What is insane - is to not make money, or to release games with out a subscription fee and thus run the risk of being pirated.
Bottom line - company needs to make money...and that's not easy to do with video games right now. What is insane - is to not make money, or to release games with out a subscription fee and thus run the risk of being pirated.
Posted: Feb 11th 2010 2:50AM (Unverified) said
I guess when they say 'launch' they might mean open beta...that's sorta like a launch these days :) ... I mean, some games are still what I consider beta state even after they start charging you for them 'cough' warhammer 'cough' hehehe.
Posted: Mar 2nd 2010 2:21PM (Unverified) said
This makes me Sad, I was still expecting q1.
APB was supposed to occupy me between ff13 and gw2.
Now what will I play?
APB was supposed to occupy me between ff13 and gw2.
Now what will I play?







